Australian Defence Spending to be cut again - Page 2

Oberon · 05-03-12, 12:36 PM

IIRC Peter Jackson does a bit of work with the Vintage Aviator, he has quite a liking for the old craft.

In regards to the Lightnings, I mean...these things had better be worth the damn money we're paying for them, because right now ordering a flight of F-18s is looking very tempting, and a darn sight cheaper.

Skybird · 05-03-12, 01:05 PM

The F-35 imo is one of the most hopelessly overpriced military projects in history. Some days ago I read that the US alone calculates the complete costs, including operation costs over the projected lifetime of the project, not in hundreds of billions, but in trillions.

And we all know that official numbers always describe only the most optimistic scenario imaginable, and then adding some positive factors to it to make it look even better.

Too expensive. Much too much expensive. esopecially if ypou already have a growing budget deficit, and debts of - how many trillions were it? 15 trillion, or 18?

I wonder if we just need to sit and wait to see the project being axed down in size dramatically.

I also question the ability of the F-35 to replace dedicated GA planes like the Warthog. It's loadout does notconvince me, and loading it externally, if that is possible, necessarily compromises it'S stealth feature which they paqy so much money for.

The legs of it already are under fire anyway.

I would even prefer a fleet of drones to the F-35. And would invest into drones, and maintaning the A-10 for longer than planned. And the F-16. Anbd then there is the F-18.

Stanislaw Lem once wrote an essay about weapon systems of the 21st century. He envisioned that the US Air Force would consist of only three airplanes anymore, kept in a well-hidden bunker and never being deployed - they were too precious as if to expose them to the risk of loosing even just one of them.

MH · 05-03-12, 02:33 PM

F-35 fifth generation warplane is not like next mustang or spitfire.
It is one of most ambitious and complicated projects ever done and also opened to public like never before.
One of the reason why all of us can see so much political spamming and valid criticism about it.
I don't remember so much transparency about any other project ....f-117 simply turned out to be in service for example....
Still it all this does not mean that the plane is flop.

Jimbuna · 05-03-12, 04:19 PM

I'd settle for them bringing the Buccaneer back...new builds of course

Herr-Berbunch · 05-03-12, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I'd settle for them bringing the Buccaneer back...new builds of course

Seconded - Bucc, Lightning (EE), Hunter, Vulcan, Victor (sorry, no Valient), VC10, and last but not least - TSR2.

Falkirion · 05-03-12, 06:34 PM

Was there ever a topic here regarding why we (Aussies) picked up the Abrams over the Leopard 2? From what I read, the L2 was the cheaper and better option. I felt like the major reason we went Abrams was because the govt was trying to suck up the US.

Don't see the point in cuttin spending on defense either. If anything boosting it to enable us to better cover the northern reaches of Aus is a better way to go.

TarJak · 05-03-12, 08:34 PM

http://m.smh.com.au/business/federal...503-1y1vl.html

"This is a country which has entirely lost any coherence in it's strategic policy. "

Freaking Labor numpties.

05-03-12, 01:05 PM	#17
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,693 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	The F-35 imo is one of the most hopelessly overpriced military projects in history. Some days ago I read that the US alone calculates the complete costs, including operation costs over the projected lifetime of the project, not in hundreds of billions, but in trillions. And we all know that official numbers always describe only the most optimistic scenario imaginable, and then adding some positive factors to it to make it look even better. Too expensive. Much too much expensive. esopecially if ypou already have a growing budget deficit, and debts of - how many trillions were it? 15 trillion, or 18? I wonder if we just need to sit and wait to see the project being axed down in size dramatically. I also question the ability of the F-35 to replace dedicated GA planes like the Warthog. It's loadout does notconvince me, and loading it externally, if that is possible, necessarily compromises it'S stealth feature which they paqy so much money for. The legs of it already are under fire anyway. I would even prefer a fleet of drones to the F-35. And would invest into drones, and maintaning the A-10 for longer than planned. And the F-16. Anbd then there is the F-18. Stanislaw Lem once wrote an essay about weapon systems of the 21st century. He envisioned that the US Air Force would consist of only three airplanes anymore, kept in a well-hidden bunker and never being deployed - they were too precious as if to expose them to the risk of loosing even just one of them. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

05-03-12, 04:19 PM	#19
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,775 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I'd settle for them bringing the Buccaneer back...new builds of course __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-03-12, 12:36 PM	#16
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	IIRC Peter Jackson does a bit of work with the Vintage Aviator, he has quite a liking for the old craft. In regards to the Lightnings, I mean...these things had better be worth the damn money we're paying for them, because right now ordering a flight of F-18s is looking very tempting, and a darn sight cheaper.

05-03-12, 02:33 PM	#18
MH Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,184 Downloads: 248 Uploads: 0	F-35 fifth generation warplane is not like next mustang or spitfire. It is one of most ambitious and complicated projects ever done and also opened to public like never before. One of the reason why all of us can see so much political spamming and valid criticism about it. I don't remember so much transparency about any other project ....f-117 simply turned out to be in service for example.... Still it all this does not mean that the plane is flop.

05-03-12, 06:34 PM	#21
Falkirion Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne, AUS Posts: 1,043 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	Was there ever a topic here regarding why we (Aussies) picked up the Abrams over the Leopard 2? From what I read, the L2 was the cheaper and better option. I felt like the major reason we went Abrams was because the govt was trying to suck up the US. Don't see the point in cuttin spending on defense either. If anything boosting it to enable us to better cover the northern reaches of Aus is a better way to go.

05-03-12, 08:34 PM	#22
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	http://m.smh.com.au/business/federal...503-1y1vl.html "This is a country which has entirely lost any coherence in it's strategic policy. " Freaking Labor numpties.